Seal



July H. s; EBERHARD 2,003,901

SEAL -.'Fi1d Dec. 26, 1951 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY/ \llllllllll II Harmon J. fiber/70rd lil Patented July 23,1935 I 2,008,901

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SEAL Harmon S. Eberhard, San Leandro, Calif., as-

signor to Caterpillar Tractor 00., San Leandro, Calif., a corporation of California Application December 26,1931, Serial No. 583,170

'23 Claims. (Cl. 74390) This invention is concerned with the protection through quill ll without contacting quill ll. of bearings for a rotatable element and the driv- Outboard e d 8 Of t b axle I7 s sec ed y y ing mechanism for that element. When power is l9 to member 2| which serves to support roller delivered to the exterior of a machine it is necbearing l2 in a manner to be described. Bearing essary, where the machine is operating in the 23 on member 2! is carried in member 24 which 5 presence of dirt, gravel, and other abrasives, that s a apt d to be secured to a truck frame (not the mechanism of the machine be protected Shown). ber 2| is ept in p ace on axle l1 against the entrance of such abrasives. Thus, by er 5 a d ut 21 Which a enclosed y where power is delivered through a sprocket a cap 28. Axle I1 and me e 2| a e tat a y 1 he 1 t tr in a track laying type t t and member 24 and the truck frame rotate about the driving mechanism for the sprocket wheel, the a s of axle l1. and the associated bearings, are desirably enr d v g spr k t wheel 6. ar 3 s bolt d closed and sealed against atmospheric commut0 flange 32 formed p q l Gea 3 is in nication to prevent entrance of dirt and like tur v n y a 33 whi i ar d up s a t deleterious material 34 which derives power from a clutch element 42 15 It is in general th object f the present, i which is secured to shaft 34. Shaft 34 is supvention to provide a seal for a rotating element P d for ota o in ball bea 35 and 3 such as a sprocket wheel on a, traetor Th i spectively positioned on the outboard and inboard vention has been successfully used in sealing the S de Of gear 3 Ba bearing 3 is supported by sprocket wheel on a tractor and I shall prefermember 39 and is retained in pos by the 20 ably describe it in this connection although it flan on member 39. Ball bea n 35 fits in an is not limited in use to only this application. aperture in cover 38 and is retained by p A further object of the invention is to devise a Upon power bein d liv r to r 3 sprocket relatively simple and yet extremely effective seal. wheel 6 is rotated, quill ll revolving in 101191 The invention possesses other objects and feabearin l2 and 3 about shaft 25 tures of advantage which will appear in the To protect the various bearings and driving following specification. mechanism for the sprocket, I provide unitary seal structures 50 and 55 (Figs. 2 and 3). In Descnpmm of drawmg units 50 and 55, which are identical, I include In the drawing accompanying and forming a sealing member 46 adapted to withstand success- 30 part of this specification, Fig. 1 is a. section-taken fully and to preserve a sealing contact upon relthrough the sprocket wheel and its associated ative rotation with respect to an adjacent surface driving, supporting and sealing mechanisms. with which it effectively forms a seal. A suitable Fig. 2 is a section taken through a portion of material for sealing member 46 is oil impregthe seal unit. nated cork. I provide backing member 41 for 35 Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary section of a member46. Since seal member 46 is annular in portion of the seal. shape, backing member 41 is of a like configura- Fig. 4 is a view illustrating how portions of tion and is formed so thatit is capable of rethe sprocket wheel are sealed and locked in positaining the sealing material as by crimping over tion. edges 48 of backing member 41. 40

To preserve sealing member 46 in sealing con- Desmpmm of mechamsm tact with the surface with which it is to be in In the accompanying drawing, I have shown sealing engagement, I include springs 49 which the supporting mechanism and driving mechaare effective to force the sealing member into IliSm a including procket wheel 6 which is sealing contact. Springs 49 are included between 45 d p p IOtatiC-H to age the track of a member 41 and annular cupped ring 5|. Springs track laying type tractor. This sprocket wheel in- 49 are carried by pins 52 which extend through eludes (Fig. 1) hub 1 secured by a lock nut 8 upon apertures 53 in annular ring 5l,- pins 52 being splined portion 9 of a quill ll. Quill II is supriveted as at 54 to backing member 41. Pins 52 5o ported at either end for rotation in roller beartransmit torsional stress from member 41 to ring ings l2 and I3 respectively provided on the out- 5| and also act as guides for springs 49, which board and inboard side of sprocket wheel 6. are positioned between shoulders 56 formed upon Roller bearing I3 is pressed into recess 14 each pin 52 and annular ring 5|. formed in housing I6. Stub axle I1 is also sup- It is to be noted that pins 52 are directly in 55 ported by housing l6 and extends therefrom back of sealing member 46 and that spring pressure is directly placed on backing member 41 adjacent sealing member 46. The structure formed is a separate unitary structure (Fig. 2) which can be manufactured and handled as such.

To position this unitary structure and to retain the structure against relative rotation upon a support, I extend a set of guide pins 51 from ring 5| to engage apertures 62 in the supporting members as cover 38 and nut 17. Gasket 58 is placed between ring 5| and its support, as cover 38 and nut 11, so that an effective seal is maintained at the juncture because springs 49 press ring 5!.

To join backing member 41 and ring 5|, I solder shroud member 6| to backing member 41 and ring 5!. Shroud member 6| is a flexible metallic bellows and its spring action aids in main taining sealing contact of sealing member 46 and, at the same time, effectively seals between backing member 4'! and ring 5!. A simple seal structure is thus formed which is a unit, as appears in Fig. 2, and which can be handled as a unit during assembly, repair, and inspection. Further, the seal occupies a minimum of space while permitting installation of a maximum of other mechanism.

While the unitary sealing structure shown in Fig. 2 can be mounted upon a rotating member, I prefer to secure the structure on a fixed support and allow sealing member 46 to engage and seal against the surface of the rotating member. In the assembly shown in Fig. l, I include unitary sealing structure 58 on inboard side of sprocket wheel 6 and unitary sealing structure 55 on outboard side of sprocket wheel 5. I securesealing structure 55 by inserting pins 5? through apertures 52 formed in cover 35. Sealing member 56 engages and wipes against washer 5t. Washers and 69 are positioned by pins 56', passed through sprocket wheel '5, engaging notches Bl in washers t t and 69. Gaskets 58 are placed between washers Bfil and 69 and sprocket wheel 5. Upon rotation of sprocket wheel 5, washer ti l is rotated while sealing member 35 is maintained stationary and is forced into a positive sealing contact against washer 5 5.

A seal is provided upon the outboard side of sprocket wheel '5, sealing structure 55 being carried upon nut H by inserting pins 5 1 in apertures 62 in nut ll. Nut 'll' is held. in position upon member l8 which retains roller bearing i2 in place. Seal unit 55 engages washer Roller bearing 52 is positioned between quill ii and threaded member iii which slides into and is partially surrounded by flanged extension of member 2i. Flanged extension 86 (Figs. 1 and 4) is milled out between ears 5? enabling flanged extension 56 to be tightened about member by bolt 33 passed through ears ii'i. Nut ii is screwed onto threaded member 78 and enables roller bearings l2 and i5 to be adjusted. Nut it includes serrations 89, one of which is engaged by finger ill on lock 92. Bolt 85 retains (Figs. 1 and 4) lock 92 in locking position. Bolt 88 also retains block 93 in place to seal the slot between ears 8?. Block 93 is of oil resisting rubber and prevents dust entrance.

The structure is assembled as follows: After shaft 34 is in place, the cup of roller bearing I3 is pressed into place in housing l6. Stub axle H is then positioned. Gear 3| is bolted onto flange 32 on quill H and the cone and roller assembly of roller bearing I3 fitted onto quill H. Quill ll and gear 3! are slid along stub axle ll until gear 3| meshes with gear 33 and roller is bolted onto cover 38 to secure ball bearing 36.

Seal structure is placed on cover 38 and wheel 6 is slid onto spline portion 8 of quill ll, washers 64 and 69 having been previously positioned on wheel 6 by pins 66. Nut 8 is then screwed onto quill I I to retain wheel 6 thereon. The cone and roller assembly of roller bearing 12 is then fitted onto quill II, the cup of roller bearing 42 being pressed in member 18 upon which nut 11 carrying seal structure has been threaded. Threaded member 18 and the remaining portion of roller bearing I2 is slid into place, nut 7'! carrying seal structure 55 into place. Member 2| is positioned on outboard end I 8 of stub axle I 1, key l9 engaging member 2| and axle l'l. Member 24 is placed on member 2|. Member 26 is drawn into engagement with tapered end It of axle H by washer 26 and nut 2?. Cap 28 is positioned over nut 21. By turning nut 11, which bears against flanged extension 86, member 13 is drawn inwardly to seat properly the rollers in their cups. Pin 94 engages slot 95 in member 78 to retain member 18 against rotation. Packing ring 95 is positioned between flanged extension 85 and nut ll. After nut ll has been moved to adjust bearings l2 and I3, bolt 88 is drawn up to retain finger 5i on lock 92 in position in one of serrations B9 and to clamp flanged extension 85 about threaded member 78. Subsequent adjustment of bearings l2 and it can be eifected by loosening bolt 35 to release lock 92 and turning nut ll.

This assembly isfacilitated by the fact that seal structures 50 and 55 can be handled as units and a multitudeof small springs, packing rings and other seal elements do not have to be separately aligned, kept in alignment and held together by hand.

To protect sealing structure 55 against direct contact with any large particles as rocks or clods of dirt, I form cover 38 with annular extending flange portion H which surrounds almost entirely sealing structure 50. The effectiveness of the protection afforded by this flange is enhanced by annular shroud 12, secured to the sprocket wheel 6 by rivets l5. Shroud i2 surrounds and extends over annular flange "ii. A

second shroud i4 is secured by studs iii to cover 38 so as to enclose partially the upper portion of annular shroud l2 and thus provide a very effective seal against the entrance of any particles which may drop down upon the upper portion of the assembly.

A protecting structure is provided for sealing structure 55. Thus nut ll includes flange portion 59 which extends over sealing structure 55 and, together with shroud member 8i, secured by rivets 713 to sprocket wheel 6, serves to prevent direct contact of larger particles of abrasive materials with sealing structure 55. An outer shroud member 82 is also provided, this shroud member bemember to hold said seal structure against rotation.

2. A unitary seal structure for positioning as a seal between a stationary member and a member movable with respect thereto comprising a. sealing member, an expansible element, a second sealing member, backing means for said second sealing member, said element being engaged with both said backing means and said first-mentioned sealing member, and a plurality of pins extending from immediately behind said second sealing member and connected to said stationary member to hold said seal structure against rotation.

3. In a motor vehicle; driving mechanism including a pinion; a housing; a shaft in said housing and extending therefrom; a bearing cup in said housing; a unit including a sleeve about said shaft, a gear, and bearing rollers and cone, said unit being adapted to be slid on axially of said shaft to seat said bearing rollers in said cup and to engage said pinion and said gear; a cover adapted to be bolted onto said housing over said sleeve and said shaft; a seal adapted to be received in said cover and slid on axially of said shaft; a sprocket adapted to be slid onto said sleeve axially of said shaft for driving connection therewith; a washer on one side of said sprocket to engage operatively said seal when said sprocket is place on said sleeve; a nut to secure said sprocket on said sleeve; another washer on another side of said sprocket; a seal adapted to engage said another washer; a bearing roller and cone on said sleeve; an annular threaded member adapted to be slid on said shaft; a bearing cup in said threaded member; a second nut adapted to screw onto said threaded member and retain said seal in engagement with said another washer; and a member adapted to be fixed on the end of said shaft to engage said nut screwed onto said threaded member whereby said bearing rollers can be adjusted in said cones and said cups.

4. In a motor vehicle; driving mechanism including a pinion; a housing; a shaft in said housing and extending therefrom; a bearing cup 'in said housing; a unit including a sleeve about said shaft, a gear, and bearing rollers and cone, said unit being adapted to be slid on axially of said shaft to seat said bearing rollers in said cup and to engage said pinion and said gear; a cover adapted to be bolted onto said housing over said sleeve and said shaft; a seal adapted to be received in said cover and slid on axially of said shaft; a sprocket adapted to be slid onto said sleeve axially of said shaft for driving connection therewith; a washer on one side of said sprocket to engage operatively said seal when said sprocket is placed on said sleeve; a nut to secure said sprocket on said sleeve; another washer on another side of said sprocket; a seal adapted to engage said another washer; a bearing roller and cone on said sleeve; an annular threaded member adapted to be slid on said shaft; a bearing cup in said threaded member; a second nut adapted to screw onto said threaded member and retain said seal in engagement with said another washer, said second nut having a serrated periphery; a member adapted to be slidonto the end of said shaft to engage said nut screwed onto said threaded member, said member being adapted to be engagedwith said threaded member to retain said threaded member in a desired position; and means to engage a serration on said second nut.

5. In a motor vehicle, a support, a shaft havbearings.

6. In a motor vehicle, a support, a shaft having an end extending from said support, a wheel hub adapted to he slid along said shaft, a roller hearing between an end of said hub and said support, a member adapted to be fixed on the end of said shaft, a threaded member mounted in said member, a roller bearing between said hub and said threaded member, another member adapted to be screwed onto said threaded member and to bear against said member to adjust said bearings, said another member including a serrated portion, and means on said member to engage said serrated portion to retain said another member in an adjusted position.

7. In a motor vehicle, a support, a shaft hav- 1 ing an end extending from said support, a. wheel hub adapted to be slid along said shaft, a roller bearing between an end of said hub and said support, a member adapted to be fixed on the end of said shaft, a threaded member mounted in said member, a roller bearing between said hub and said threaded member, another member adapted to be screwed onto said threaded member and to bear against said member to adjust said bearings, and means to clamp said member about said threaded member.

8. In a device of the class described, driving mechanism including a hub and, a wheel, a shaft, journal means for supporting the wheel and the hub for rotation about the shaft, sealing means, and means including a member housing said sealing'means serving both to position said sealing means and to position said hub, wheel and journal means.

9. In a device of the class described, a unitary positionable sealing structure comprising a sealing member, means for backing said sealing member, a second member spaced from said backing means, a plurality of pins connected to said backing means and to said second member, said pins being positioned in line with said sealing member, resilient means about said pins thrusting apart the backing means and said second member, and a plurality of pins for supporting a sealing member on said second member.

10. In a device of the class described, a unitary positionable sealing structure comprising a sealing member, means for backing said sealing member, a second member spaced from said backing means a plurality of pins connected to said backing means and to said second member, said pins being positioned in line with said sealing member, resilient means about said pins thrusting apart the backing means and said second member, and a plurality of pins for supporting a sealing member on said second member, said pins providing means to hold the sealing structure in position. i

11. In a device of the class described, a main housing, a wheel mounted for rotation without the housing, driving and supporting mechanism for said wheel, the driving mechanism being chiefly within the housing, and sealing means for said mechanism, comprising a sealing structure at each side of wheel and in frictional sealing engagement therewith.

12. In a device of the class described, a shaft,

driving mechanism about said shaft and including a movable surface normal to the axis of said shaft, elements associated with said driving mechanism,

spring-pressed sealing means for said mechanism and having a surface adapted to be maintained in frictional contact with said first-mentioned surface, said sealing means being adapted to be inserted in position by movement in a direction along the axis of said shaft, and means movable in a direction normal to the plane of contact of said surfaces and along the axis of said shaft serving both to position said sealing means and to position said elements, said latter means serving to house said sealing means.

13. In a device of the class described, a; housing having driving mechanism therein, a shaft extending from within said housing, a driving unit including a sleeve and a gear adapted to be in-' be secured to said housing and about said sleeve, a

wheel adapted to be secured to said sleeve and outside of said cover, an annular resilient sealing unit adapted to be positioned axially along said shaft prior to securing of said wheel and compressed between one side of 'said wheeland said cover, a second annular resilient sealing unit adapted to be positioned axially along said shaft and to be positioned at the other side of said wheel, and means axially positionable along said shaft serving both to maintain the sealing units in position and to position said driving unit, said latter means cooperating with said other side of said wheel to house said second sealing unit.

14. Sealing means for positioning as a seal between a non-rotatable member and a member rotatable about an axis with respect to said nonrotatable member, comprising a sealing surface rotatable with said rotatable member, a seal structure including a second sealingsurface adapted to be pressed into frictional engagement with said first mentioned sealing surface, an annular flexible member having sealing engagement at one portion thereof with said seal structure and at another portion thereof with said non-rotatable member, spring means pressing against said structure to maintain said surfaces in frictional engagement, and a plurality of pins about the axis of. rotation of said rotatable member, said pins being connected to said structure at a position in line with the area of frictional engagement between said surfaces and being also connected to said non-rotatable member.

15. Sealing means for positioning as a seal between a non-rotatable member and a member rotatable about an axis with respect to said non-rotatable member, comprising a sealing surface rotatable with said rotatable member, a seal structure including a second sealing surface adapted to be pressed into frictional engagement with said first mentioned sealing surface, an annular flexible member having sealing engagement at one portion thereof with said seal structure and at another portion thereof with said non-rotatable member, a plurality of pins about the axis of rotation of said rotatable member, said pins being connected to said structure at a position in line with the area of frictional engagement between said surfaces and being also connected to said non-rotatable member, and a plurality of springs about the axis of rotation of said rotatable member and in line with said area of frictional engagement between said surfaces to maintain said surfaces in engagement.

16. A seal structure between a stationary casing having an open end and a tractor wheel rotatably mounted adjacent said open end by drive means extending through said casing, comprising an annular sealing surface rotatable with said wheel and adjacent said open end of said casing, an annular packing adapted to be maintained in frictional sealing engagement with said surface, a backing member for said packing, a plurality of non-rotatable pins connected to said backing member in line with said packing to hold said backing member against rotation, resilient means pressing said backing member to maintain said packing in frictional engagement with said surface, and additional sealing means, including an annular flexible member, said additional sealing means having sealing engagement at one portion thereof with said backing member and at another portion thereof with said casing.

17. In a vehicle, a supporting structure, a shaft extending therefrom, a driving unit including a rotatable sleeve about said shaft and a wheel secured for rotation with said sleeve, and a resiliently pressed seal structure at each side of said wheel and about said sleeve, each s'eal structure being located between an end of saidsleeve and a side of said wheel.

extending therefrom, a driving unit including a rotatable sleeve about said shaft and a wheel secured for rotation with said sleeve, journal means between said sleeve and said supporting structure, second journal means for said sleeve and supported by said shaft, and a seal structure positioned between each of said journal means and a side of said wheel, both of said seal structures being located between said journal means.

19. In a vehicle, a supporting structure, a shaft extending therefrom, a driving unit including a rotatable sleeve freely spaced from said shaft and a wheel mounted for rotation with said sleeve, bearing means between one end portion of said sleeve and said supporting structure, a bearing housing structure secured to said shaft adjacent the opposite end portion of said sleeve, second bearing means in said bearing housing structure and in which said opposite end portion of said sleeve is journalled to be supported by said shaft, a seal structure about said opposite end portion of said sleeve and positioned between said second bearing means and a side of said wheel, and a second seal structure about said sleeve and positioned between said first mentioned bearing means and the other side of said wheel.

20. In a vehicle, a supporting structure, a shaft extending therefrom, a driving unit including a rotatable sleeve freely spaced from said shaft and a wheel mounted for rotation with said sleeve, bearing means between one end portion of said sleeve and said supporting structure, a bearing housing structure secured to said shaft adjacent the opposite end portion of said sleeve, second bearing means in said bearinghousing structure and in which said opposite end portion of said sleeve is journalled to be supported by said shaft, a resilient non-rotatable seal structure about said opposite end portion of said sleeve housed within said bearing housing structure, said seal structure being compressed between said bearing housing structure and a side of said wheel, and a second resilient non-rotatable seal structure compressed between the opposite side of said wheel and said supporting'structure.

21. In a vehicle, a housing enclosing driving mechanism, a shaft supported on said housing and extending to a position without said housing, a driving unit including a rotatable sleeve about said shaft and a wheel secured for rotation with said sleeve at a location without said housing, Widely spaced journal means for said unit between which said wheel is positioned, one of said journal means being supported by said shaft at a location outside of said housing, and a seal structureencompassing said sleeve and located between the outer side of said wheel and both the outer end of said sleeve and the journal means outside of said housing.

22. In avehicle, a housing enclosing driving mechanism, a shaft supported on said housing and extending to a position Without said housing, a driving unit including a rotatable sleeve about said shaft and a whee. secured for rotation with said sleeve at a location without said housing, widely spaced journal means for said unit between which said 'wheel is positioned, one of said journal means being supported by said shaft at a location outside of said housing, a seal structure encompassing said sleeve and located between the outer side of said wheel and both the outer end of said sleeve and the journal means outside of said housing, and means including a device associated with both said seal, structure and said outside journal means serving both to position said outside journal means and said seal structure.

23. In a vehicle, a housing enclosing driving mechanism, a shaft supported on said housing and extending to a position without said housing, a driving unit including a rotatable tapered sleeve about said shaft with the small end thereof positioned outside of said housing and a wheel secured for rotation with said sleeve at a location without said housing, widely spaced bearings for said unit between which said wheel is positioned, one of said bearings being supported by said shaft at a location outside of said housing and serving to journal the small end portion of said sleeve, and a seal structure encompassing the small end portion of said sleeve and located between the outer side of said wheel and both the outer end of said sleeve and the bearing outside of said hous- HARMON S. EBERHARD. 

